Christopher and James Shyer, owners and co-CEOs of Zyloware, announce that the company turns 100 years old January 26, 2023.

From humble beginnings, Zyloware became one of the first manufacturers of Zyl frames. Since its official incorporation in New York State on January 26^th, 1923, Zyloware has boasted a unique quality and business acumen which has contributed to the success of the Family-owned company to span 100 years across three generations.

The Shyer’s family values have always been at the forefront of everything the business is and does. It was these values that Henry Shyer said would lead to Zyloware’s longevity; Never taking success for granted, treating employees and partners as family, listening intently, filling consumers’ vision and critical needs, and working to make our industry partners successful.

Zyloware puts its people first. Priding themselves on diversity, inclusion and an open-mindedness that generates the innovation, creativity, and an unrivaled loyalty to producing world class products and services helping customers flourish in a complex optical marketplace.

Zyloware has always been unafraid to push boundaries, bringing new products and brands to market. Bob and Henry most famously introduced the Invincible, the nearly indestructible nylon frame during the 1960s.

They continued to blaze trails through the optical world during the 70s and 80s becoming the first licensee for eyewear of an American fashion designer (Gloria Vanderbilt), the first licensee of a celebrity collection (Sophia Loren) and the first licensee of a men’s eyewear brand (Stetson).

Chris and Jamie at the helm have kept the company evolving, most notably with their addition of edgy fashion eyewear for men by Randy Jackson who made wearing glasses cool every night on American Idol. 

The company now boasts several leading fashion collections for women with Via Spiga, Leon Max and newly launched Halston in 2022 as well as men’s designer eyewear by Shaquille O’Neal and sports safety Shaq Eye Gear. Recognizing a changing America, Zyloware introduced Daisy Fuentes and will be adding to their portfolio CEV, an edgy designer collection from Pro-Bowl, NFL Linebacker Jaylon Smith at Vision Expo in NYC this March.

Source: Zyloware

CooperVision Specialty EyeCare announced the launch of its pioneering digital fitting tool, Visavy™ (pronounced Vee-SAH-vee) at 2023 Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS). The easy-to-use, web-based fitting software incorporates topography-guided algorithms to assist the design and selection of Paragon CRT^® orthokeratology contact lenses for myopia management.

Visavy™ is an adaption of the company’s popular MyProcornea tool. The all-in-one platform includes integrated ordering to reduce chair time, provides ECPs with the ability to track orders in real time, and chat live with online consultants. The topography-driven approach and view simulated fluoresceine patterns promote greater precision and accuracy. In addition, professionals and staff can easily login and manage their product range anywhere, at any time.

Kelly Voltz, OD, FAAO, FSLS, Senior Manager, Professional and Clinical Affairs, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare, led Visavy™ clinical development. “As an industry partner, we are committed to discovering new ways to help ECPs streamline their processes and build even more confidence when fitting and prescribing our lenses. This goes well beyond our lenses to include digital innovation,” she said. “Visavy™ was designed with ease-of-use in mind. The platform centers on fitting accuracy and convenience, making it easier than ever before for ECPs to find the optimal fit for specialty lens patients.”

ECPs interested in learning more about the software can visit https://marketing.coopervisionsec.com/visavy for more information.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Horace in Cadillac has been nominated for the Men’s Frame of the Year at the Love Eyewear Awards which take place at 100% Optical at Excel, London in February.

The Horace frame, a signature piece in the Centena Collection, is hand-crafted in France from 10mm acrylic so, despite the chunky appearance, weighs virtually nothing and is extremely comfortable to wear.

The Centena Collection celebrates the Kirk family’s one-hundred-year history in optics with each of the styles being named after a member of the Kirk family, dating back as far as 1919 when Sidney and Percy Kirk set up Kirk Brothers and were instrumental in establishing London as an internationally renowned centre of optical excellence. 

Director, Jason Kirk, said, “it is all the more poignant for us to be nominated for this prestigious award in London at 100% Optical. London is focal to my family’s love of optics, and this means a great deal to us.”

Creative Director, Karen Kirk, explained that “the clearly defined forms and hues within the collections reflect the individuality of our audience. These people do not need external labelling to say who they are and who are comfortable enough in their style choices to go bold in shape and colour.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Known as the “silent thief of sight”, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide that affects nearly 800,000 Canadians today. Yet, according to a national survey by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS), in partnership with the Canadian Association of Optometrists, less than half (47%) of Canadians are familiar with glaucoma, with this number decreasing to 37% for younger Canadians aged 18-34.

For Glaucoma Awareness Month, the COS is reminding Canadians of the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams, as it’s the only way to detect this eye disease and prevent permanent vision loss.

“While there are several conditions that can lead to vision loss, none are as dangerously subtle as glaucoma,” says Dr. Phil Hooper, President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. “Damage to the eye from this disease often develops slowly over long periods of time with few symptoms and the damage which is done is irreversible. While there is no cure for glaucoma at this time, medication and surgery can help you live with the disease and slow its progress.”

While optometrists can diagnose and often treat some types of glaucoma, patients are referred to an ophthalmologist if they’re diagnosed at an advanced stage or if the patient’s condition is progressing at a rapid rate. For instance, Virginia Gray, a 68-year-old glaucoma patient, noticed changes to her vision and was unable to get a definitive diagnosis after several years. This led to a referral to an ophthalmologist, Dr. Briar Sexton, a member of the COS. During the appointment, Dr. Sexton performed a visual field test, an instrument that tests a patient’s peripheral vision by getting them to press a button whenever they see a flashing light.

“Given that my glaucoma wasn’t associated with elevated eye pressure, it was difficult for an eye care professional to diagnose me,” says Virginia Gray, a glaucoma patient of Dr. Sexton. “Once an optometrist referred me to my ophthalmologist, Dr. Sexton, she was able to determine the best course of treatment, which significantly halted the progress of my optic nerve damage.”

Blinding diseases affect older adults (55+) at much higher rates and as Canada’s population ages, the number of individuals affected by vision impairment will rise. That’s why the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, along with several other eye care associations, is advocating for a Vision Health Desk at the Public Health Agency of Canada. This national initiative will support eye health and work with provinces and territories on strategies for eye health, vision care, and the full integration of post-vision loss rehabilitation therapy into the healthcare continuum.

“My advice to Canadians, if you have any concerns about changes to your vision, especially if over the age of 50, it’s important to communicate with a healthcare provider so that they can determine if an ophthalmologist intervention is the best course of action,” continues Gray. “You’re never too young to start caring for your eyes, so it’s important to take action now by educating yourself about this disease and familiarizing yourself with its diagnosis and treatment.”

Click HERE for the full press release.